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UN fails to find speech freedom in Ukraine, concerned about obstructions and violence

Monday, March 26, 2018 - 11:39

The UN states that the practice of violence against journalists in Ukraine and the restriction of freedom of speech are continuing. This is stated in the latest report published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the world organization.

Thus, for the period from November 16, 2017, to February 15, 2018, 10 cases of encroachments on freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of the media were recorded, the UN OHCHR stated in the report on the human rights situation in Ukraine. In the report there were also mentioned six cases of physical attacks on journalists and other incidents obstructing journalistic activity and the work of media outlets.

"In five of these cases, the attacks were perpetrated by members of extreme right-wing groups and law enforcement was present but did not prevent or stop the unlawful actions," the UN OHCHR noted. Representatives of the press also repeatedly complained of "protracted and ineffective investigations, also noting a lack of transparency," the authors of the report on the human rights situation in Ukraine state.

In total, in 2017 the National Union of Journalists in Ukraine documented 90 incidents of physical violence against media professionals.